Drive with us: 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance Review

Join us as we take a closer look at the Tesla Model 3, the long-standing benchmark for EVs. But does it still live up to the hype?

When electric vehicles first emerged, Tesla set the standard. They were the EV.

Since then, the competition has well and truly caught up. Rivals have flooded the market with genuinely impressive alternatives, and BYD has even overtaken Tesla in global sales.

Technology is constantly improving, new features are entering our cars, and buyers have more choice than ever before.

So, does the Model 3 still hold its crown?

Or have rivals like the Polestar 2, BYD SEAL and Hyundai IONIQ 5 risen up to steal it?

Join us as we review the 2021 model.

The Model 3 has since had a significant facelift in 2024, with updates to its design, technology and performance.

Want to know more? We've got a dedicated piece on the new Model 3 too.

What we drove?

Model: Tesla Model 3 Performance Dual Motor Auto

Body style: Saloon

Power: Electric (330 kW)

Range: Up to 340 miles (WLTP Comb)

Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 3.1 seconds

Colour: White Pearl

Price from: £59,990

Specifications correct at the time of publication.

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Looks that mean business

The Tesla Model 3 is a real head-turner. Think sporty, muscular, and distinctly un-ordinary.

The front end drops away quite suddenly, which adds to that planted, purposeful feel — you know you're in something a bit special the moment you sit down.

The rear is bulky in the best possible way. The wheel arches flare out to give the Model 3 a proper stance. Bold, fierce, and not shy about it.

It draws comparisons to the BMW 3 Series in the best sense, with the rear doing a lot of the heavy lifting on both models when it comes to kerb appeal.

The satin black finish on the handles and doors (replacing the old chrome detailing) makes a massive difference too. It elevates the whole look and gives it that premium edge that we know and love.

Understated? Not quite.

The Model 3 isn't your typical car, and it was never trying to be. It set the standard for EVs in the UK, topping the charts for years.

That was until newcomers BYD came along to take the crown…

Minimal, but not boring

The interior of the Tesla Model 3 is a minimalist’s heaven.

A 15-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard. And that's pretty much it — when we say it’s minimalist, we mean it.

Nearly all the major functions are controlled through it, but it's incredibly responsive with a crystal clear display, so it's more than capable of handling everything you throw at it.

Is it as intuitive as proper buttons? Not quite.

But you quickly adapt, and it's a price worth paying for such a clean, clutter-free cabin.

Connectivity is well catered for too, with wireless charging for two phones, two USB-C ports in the centre console and a further two in the rear.

Comfort levels are high throughout.

Quality materials and wood panelling run throughout, adding warmth and texture to what could otherwise feel a little cold and clinical.

Boot space is genuinely impressive too. A 594-litre boot — larger than the Polestar 2's — combined with a deep under-floor storage area means there's room for everything.

And if that's not enough, the 88-litre frunk (front trunk) gives you a handy extra space for charging cables and the like.

Is it quite at the level of the German big three? Not quite. But it runs closer than you might expect.

Buckle up – it’s bonkers

As Dizzee Rascal once said: bonkers.

With a 0-62mph time of just 3.1 seconds, you'll quickly understand why. Power and speed beyond anything you'll ever need under current UK driving laws, but that doesn't make it irrelevant.

Overtaking? Effortless.

Slipping out of a junction in a small gap during rush hour? Easy as pie.

The facelifted model now does 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds – unreal stuff there.

But the headline performance figures can overshadow just how good the Model 3 is in everyday driving, and that's a shame, because it's brilliant at that too.

The ride is firm but controlled and comfortable. The all-wheel drive keeps things measured and composed despite the immense power underfoot.

No wheel spin. No fight for traction. It just goes, with minimal fuss.

It's the perfect balance of immersive speed, complete control and first-class comfort. And as an overall package, it edges the Polestar 2 from a driving perspective.

One thing to flag: wind noise through the front pillars is noticeable at higher speeds, but this is a common trait across EVs rather than specific to the Model 3.

Range anxiety? Not here.

You might assume the Performance model sacrifices range for speed. You'd be happily mistaken.

340 miles (WLTP Comb) does the job very nicely indeed — and after the 2024 facelift, that crept up to 354 miles (WLTP Comb), thanks to aerodynamic improvements from the redesign.

Back when this model was released, that range put it among the best EVs on the market. No mean feat.

It also came with access to the Tesla Supercharger Network — one of the most reliable charging networks around. It has since been opened up to other EVs in the UK, but at the time, that exclusivity made living with an EV that bit easier.

Via a Supercharger, you can recoup 172 miles in just 15 minutes. A 7kW home charger will take between eight and 12 hours from zero to full.

Plug in overnight like your phone, and you'll wake up ready to go.

Not bad for a car that'll have you grinning every time you put your foot down.

What's good, and what's not

The Model 3 has a lot going for it. But no car is perfect. Here's the honest take.

The good bits:

• Bonkers acceleration (0-62mph in 3.1 seconds)
• All-wheel drive composure — no wheel spin, no fuss
• Minimalist interior that actually works
• Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with 96% adult occupant score
• 594-litre boot — larger than the Polestar 2 — plus deep under-floor storage and an 88-litre frunk

The not-so-good bits:

• Wind noise through front pillars at higher speeds (common EV trait)
• Interior quality doesn't quite match the German premium brands at this price point
• Saloon-style boot opening can make loading bulky items trickier than a hatchback or estate

What's the verdict?

It doesn't take a genius to understand why Tesla pioneered the EV revolution.

When this model launched, it offered the best tech, performance and driving experience money could buy. It set the bar, and for a long time, nothing else came close.

But the landscape has shifted.

Competitors are putting up a serious fight — and in BYD's case, winning it.

Tesla need to up their game.

The Supercharger Network, once an exclusive selling point, is now open to other EVs. Chinese manufacturers are entering the market with equally impressive packages at a lower price point. And unlike the German big three, Tesla haven't been around long enough to build the same kind of deep-rooted brand loyalty.

It's a tough crowd out there.

The 2024 facelift has helped their case — a refreshed design, tech kept firmly up to scratch, and even more range squeezed out of the same battery.

Is the Model 3 still a compelling lease option despite the increased competition? Yes.

But Tesla can't afford to stand still.

Top 5 reasons to consider the Tesla Model 3

1. Blistering performance — 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds (now 2.9 seconds after the facelift) with all-wheel drive composure
2. Spacious and practical — 594-litre boot, deep under-floor storage and an 88-litre frunk
3. Over-the-air software updates mean the car keeps improving long after you drive it away
4. Impressive range — 340 miles, up to 354 miles (WLTP Comb) on the 2024 facelift model
5. Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with a 96% adult occupant score

Would we recommend leasing a Tesla Model 3?

Absolutely. And the best bit? When you lease a Model 3 today, you're getting the latest version with all the 2024 facelift improvements already baked in.

Over-the-air updates mean the car keeps evolving long after it's parked on your driveway too. Better performance, new features, software fixes all delivered automatically, no dealership visit required.

And beyond the serious stuff, it's genuinely fun to live with.

Fart mode, Dog Mode, and a whole host of other quirky Tesla features make it a car with real personality — something the numbers alone don't tell you.

It's got a lot going for it. And for the right driver, it still makes a very compelling lease.